Laurentian University celebrates 50 Years of the Franco-Ontarian flag

(September 24, 2025) - On September 25, 2025, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag. Laurentian University is a leader in French-language program delivery, with 35 programs and 106 program pathways. With 1,950 students enrolled in French-language programs, and close to 2,500 Francophone students attending the University, Laurentian fosters a thriving, inclusive academic environment. 

The celebration will kick off with an official opening ceremony at 8:15 a.m. in Founders’ Square. The community is invited to join. Later in the day, a lunch and live performance will take place on campus starting at noon, offering a chance to celebrate Francophone culture. The Association des étudiantes et étudiants francophones (AEF) will also be providing giveaways throughout the day. Students, staff, and faculty are invited to visit the AEF office (2nd floor Parker Building) today to pick up a green t-shirt in advance of the celebration tomorrow. 

Quotes

"Ontario’s Francophone communities play a vital role in the social, cultural, and economic development of our province," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "Our government is proud to continue investing in our world-class French and bilingual postsecondary institutions to strengthen our Francophone workforce, industries, and communities for decades to come.”

“This is a very special occasion for us, Franco-Ontarians, to come together. I have had the immense pleasure of collaborating with this group of committed students, whose dedication over the past few months has been exemplary. We hope to see many of you there.” – Natalie Poulin-Lehoux, Associate Vice-President, Francophone Affairs, Laurentian University.

“Our place, our campus, our university. We were, are, and will be Francophone students, proud of our inclusive Francophonie, because it is for everyone.” – Rafael Yassine, vice-president of Politics, Association des étudiantes et étudiants francophones, and Droit et justice student.

Student perspectives

To celebrate this milestone, Laurentian University students share what it means to them to be part of the Francophone community, and how they celebrate their culture on campus.

Stéphanie Ménard (Sudbury, ON), Master of Psychology student

What does la Francophonie mean to you?

La Francophonie is more than just a shared language. To me, it represents connection, resilience, and heritage. It reflects not only my own cultural background but also that of the diverse people around me. It’s a word that brings community members, family, friends, and even strangers together in support of one another. In a world where differences are often emphasized, la Francophonie allows us to celebrate those differences in a spirit of acceptance and unity.

How do you celebrate your French culture within our university community?

As a bilingual institution, Laurentian University has provided me with the opportunity to celebrate my French heritage throughout both my undergraduate and graduate studies. Completing my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in French while taking a range of courses in English earned me a bilingual certificate upon graduating and helped me develop a strong understanding of field-specific terminology in both languages. Now pursuing my master’s degree in Psychology (in English), I continue to benefit from the guidance and support of bilingual professors and Francophone campus activities.

Emma Bélanger (Timmins, ON), Bachelor of Orthophonie student

What does la Francophonie mean to you?

La Francophonie is a lot more than a language to me. It represents generations of courage and pride over communicating in a way that is more comfortable and convenient for generations to come. La Francophonie, diverse in many ways, lets us embrace our differences while still being united by our language and culture. For me la Francophonie is my culture and my identity, and I find it crucial to keep teaching and promoting the importance of our culture as a minority group in the north.

How do you celebrate your French culture within our university community?

Being in the French-language program, Orthophonie, gives me the opportunity to promote the program as well as meet incredible people that care as much about French communication as I do! I am truly grateful to attend a university that lets me celebrate and speak my language proudly.

Valérie Ouimet (Azilda, ON), Bachelor of Psychologie student (with minor in Langue et linguistique)

What does la Francophonie mean to you?

La Francophonie is a part of me. It is alive because of our earlier generations, who enjoyed good laughs, good food, and good family celebrations full of warmth and silliness. Because of my Francophonie, I was able to meet and befriend other Francophones in my courses as well as on my varsity curling team.

How do you celebrate your French culture within our university community?

I celebrate by speaking French every day, and I think it’s very special that I can do that at university as well.

Julia Wiebe (Thunder Bay, ON), Bachelor of Sciences infirmières student

What does la Francophonie mean to you? How do you celebrate your French culture within our university community?

La Francophonie is a part of my culture that was lost in my family. As a Laurentian University student, I have an opportunity to experience my Francophone culture here, with the Francophone community. I’m very happy to have the chance to learn in French, and to be surrounded by other Francophones.